1 1 8 Wanderings in Eastern Africa. 
marriage. From the simplicity of the Hves of these 
people, and the activity and the physical strength of 
the women, the process of parturition takes place often 
with marvellous ease. It has been boasted that a 
woman has left her hut alone for the forest to fetch 
thence a bundle of firewood, and that she has been 
seen presently to return to her home with the wood 
upon her head, and her new-born child upon her 
back ! It is common for them to be " up and 
about " two or three days only after the birth of 
a child. 
Infanticide is practised among the Wanika. It 
does not, however, appear, as in India and elsewhere, 
to be a religious institution, but one having its origin 
in very different instincts and motives, those of 
general convenience and comfort. This will be seen 
when we point out those who are the victims of the 
practice. Formerly twins were destroyed, but this 
custom does not prevail among the present race of 
Wanika. The cases are, first, those of mispresention ; 
secondly, children deformed in any way; thirdly, 
those exhibiting any unusual precocity. The first 
case is considered ominous in the extreme ; 
deformity is looked upon as a nuisance ; while pre- 
cocity portends the warrior and tyrant, who will 
bring destruction and misery upon the whole race. 
"What!" say the Wanika, "are those to live 
who are unpleasant to look upon, who are a 
burden to themselves and friends, or those who are 
destined to become the scourge of the country The 
mode in which the victims of this shocking custom are 
despatched is by strangulation. Yet let it not be 
supposed that it arises out of any natural cruelty in 
